Clinical features:
Weakness (quadraparisis or paraparesis), sensory level, bowel and bladder dysfunction
Findings on Investigations:
MRI:
- Compression of the spinal cord
- T2/STIR: hyperintensity in the spinal cord
Treatment:
Treat the underlying condition
Consider early surgical decompression
If metastatic:
- Dexamethasone: dose is debatable; initial trials used 100 mg I.V. over 0.5-1 hour, then 4 mg q6 hours
- Surgery or Radiation therapy or both